has anyone tried PS Audio perfect wave duo

In addition to it apparently being compatible with some emerging high res formats, I gleaned that the novel feature here is that data is cached in memory with this setup rather than read live direct from the optical CD disc as is done with most players and this is an affective approach for minimizing jitter.

Network players like Roku SOundbridge ($200) and Logitech Squeezebox have been doing this for several years now and are another cost effective way to get this benefit if you are willing to go the music server route. For best sound, just use these with the external high quality DAC of your choice.

I believe I saw PS Audio will offer a similar network player as an alternative to the transport at some point.

Some other resampling DACs, like the Benchmark, are also designed to effectively minimize jitter on board the DAC as well.

I think it has some smart out of the box design features that should lead to good sound.

Nothing you can't get elsewhere for lower cost I think but those routes currently will probably generally require more effort and knowledge on the part of the user to get right.

Also I am not fond of products that require bridges in general, unless absolutely essential. This is usually an indicator that proprietary approaches are being used that may produce very good results but limit options in terms of integrating with other vendors products. That usually end up meaning you pay more for what you get from that particular vendor.

Almarg,

The larger cache may be needed to handle the higher res formats that this device is advertised to handle.

I think that would be the main purpose.

I can see this as an effective though pricey out of the box solution for those seeking the bleeding edge of current digital formats.

Personally I will stick to the music server approach but I can understand if many are not comfortable mixing computers with their audio on their own.

AL,

Yes, it would make little sense to output time sensitive data directly from an optical read device. I've always assumed that most or all devices do not do this but was not sure.

Usually if a cache is not big enough, a clear audible dropout will occur I believe and not a subtle change in sound.

I would expect the same to occur but much more frequently if bits were read direct from a relatively slow and more error prone optical device and that seldom seems to occur with most properly operating readers.

Does that sound right?

Shazam,

I was under the impression that most optical drives, audio or computer, do rereads of data normally when errors are detected? I didn't think most modern CD players were one pass only because frankly there would seem to be no reason for them to suffer with that limitation.

Mostly, yes. I'm still of the opinion that the design is a very good one. if you like the sound of the DAC, it should work well.

I'm not convinced yet that, other than support for higher resolution, it is leaps and bounds above other player or in particular server options at least for redbook CDs.

Isn't it a bit ironic the prices charged for "good" CD transports when a computer is seemingly so much better equipped and cheaper, at least nowadays?

I suppose when CD players first came out the technology needed to read and forward the data correctly was pricey, but I am certain it is not nowadays.

Shazam,

That approach wouldn't surprise. Looks like PS is going down the high performance/proprietary architecture/customer lock-in route more like Sonos with this product line from what I can see.

The plus to this is that the stuff you buy from PS Audio should perform very and be easy to use together.

The down side is that you may be locked into PS Audio for upgrades and add-ons that are compatible down the road and may pay more for what you get as well.

Kind of like the Apple computer road that many gladly go down.